Moistener.



W. HOLT, DECD.

M. A. HOLT, ExEcuTmxk MOISTENER.

APPLICATIONFILED sPT.21. I916.

11 ,245,3l2. Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

MEWLM .n srnrns nna? rron WILLIALI HOLT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; MARY A., HOLT, EXECUTEIX F SAID WILLIAM HOLT, DECEASED, ASEEGNOR TO THE PEERLESS MOISTENEB,

ILLINOIS.

(30., A CORPORATION OF MOISTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented News, 191v.

Application filed September 21, 1916. Serial No. 121,349.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HOLT, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a. new and useful Improvement in Moisteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to moist eners and has more particular reference to moisteners provided to moisten the hands of persons bowling in a bowling alley".

It will be manifest, however, that certain features of the invention have other and more general application.

Prior to my invention it has usually been the custom in bowling alleys to provide a dampened sponge resting in acup fastened upon the post at the end of the ball return. This arrangement has been unsatisfactory for many reasons, for example, it is unsanitary and the sponge soon becomes very much discolored from the dirt taken from the hands of the users. Furthermore the sponge is frequently Also the sponge supplied frequently too great a quantity of water. a

It is a principal. object of my present invention to provide a moistener for the hands which will be sanitary and which will al ways be available for the use of the player.

A further object of the invention is the improved construction of moisteners for this and other purposes, as for example, moistening the flaps of envelops, stamps and the like, certain features of this invention having a desirable application in said structures.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a moistener of such character which can be readily cleaned and which at the same time will not likely be tampered with by the users of the bowling alley.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a moistener of simple durable and economical construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a partial elevation of a part of a bowling alley;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view with parts broken removed and mislaid or lost.

away of a moistener embodying my present invention;

Fig. 3 is a section taken diametrically of the moistener.

Fig. 4 is an isolated side elevation. of the cover; and

Fig. 5 is an isolated perspective view of the felt support. v

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown on the drawing a part of a bowling alley, the delivery end 6 of the ball return 7 being shown as fastened in the usual manner and supported from the post 8. The post 8 is provided with a flattop 9 in which is formed a recess 11 for the, reception of the moistener. This moistener consists of awater vessel A, a cover B therefor, a piece of felt C for supplying moisture through the perforations ofthe cover and a support D for the felt. The water vessel A. in the present instance consists of a body partlZ having a depression 13 extending annularly about its center and in its bottom. The top of the body is necked outwardlyat 1e for the reception of the cover and the body is-provided with a peripheral-- flange 15 adapted torest upon the top of the post. Three pins 16 are provided upon theinside ,of the necked portion 1 1 to extend inwardly, these pins being for the purpose of engaging slots, to be presently described, in the cover to lock the cover in place.

The support D in the present instance consists of a cylinder 1'? closed at its topat 18 and having openings or perforations 19 on opposite sides. Fhe lower edge of the -cyl'-- inder rests inthe depression 13 andits top is disposed just beneath the normal position of the cover. The piece of felt (3' consists of a. center circular body 21 and two diametrically extending flaps 22 each of which flaps is adapted to be inserted into an opening or aperture 13 of the support. As will be noted on the drawing this felt is rela tively thick and its tendency to straighten out holds the flaps firmly in the supports so that the two may be removed as a single unit. The cover consists in the present instance of a perforated top 23 and a side flange 2% adapted for insertion in the neck 1 1 of the body. Slots corresponding in number to the number of pins 16 are pr0- Vided and each of these slots is formed by merely pressing in the flange material. The. slots have an opening 25 at either edge and are inclined upwardly at 26 toward the position of the pins when in looking position. At the locking position of the pins the slots extend downwardly at 27 so that the pins drop behind shoulders 28. This construetion gives the cover a slight vertical move ment while in the interlocking position. The parts are so dimensioned that the felt normally holds the cover elevated with the pins in the parts '27 of the slots. To re move the cover it is therefore necessary to press down upon it, give it a slight turning movement to cause the pins to pass through the slots and then lift it up away from the vessel. This movement is not one that will occur to persons idly toying with the moist ener when in place upon the post of a bowling alley or when positioned in other localities and yet it permits the cover being removed by anyone who knows the construction or anyone making conscious effort to remove it.

The form of support used is believed to be of considerable value as it effectively supports the felt and causes it to be held in sub stantial contact with the cover the yielding action of the cover being in this instance controlled by the compression of the felt.

Since the support and felt can be removed as a single unit it is relatively easy to clean the device, it only being necessary to hold the felt and support under a running water faucet and to wipe out the insideof the vessel as occasion may require. Furthermore in placing the flaps 22 through the perforations or openings 19 the body of the felt is caused to bend upwardly at its center and its natural cushioning effect thereby increased.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages the form hercinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A moistener comprising a water vessel; a perforated cover therefor; a piece of felt adapted to supply moisture through the perforations of said cover; a cylinder resting upon the bottom of said vessel and disposed beneath said felt; said cylinder having means at its top for holding the felt in proper position beneath said perforated cover.

2. A moistener comprising a water vessel; a perforated cover for said vessel; a piece of felt adapted to supply moisture through the perforations of said cover and a support for said felt for holding it in proper relation with respect to said cover; said support and felt being connected to permit removal of the support and felt as a single unit.

3. A moistener comprising a water vessel; a perforated cover therefor; a piece of felt for supplying moisture through the perforations of said cover; a support for said felt, said support comprising a cylinder having perforations in its side through which depending parts of the felt extend, said cylinder having a horizontally extending support at its ton between the depending parts of said felt.

4L. A mo-istener comprising a water vessel; a perforated cover there-for, said cover and vessel having a pin and slot connection the slots of said connection being inclined toward locked position and having a downwardly extending part at locked position; a piece of felt for supplying moisture through the perforations of said cover, and means locking said felt against said cover when said pins are resting in the lower parts of said slots in locked position.

Signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

7 WILLIAM HOLT. lVitnesses: I

.J. C. CARPENTER, T. J. P. OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

